Silvio Berlusconi sex conviction overturned by Milan appeals court

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was convicted in June last year (Picture: Getty Images)

A Milan appeals court has overturned the conviction of former Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi for paying for sex with an underage girl and using his political power to cover it up.

The decision is a huge victory for the three-time prime minister, was sentenced to seven years in prison last June for the crime.

Berlusconi has had several problems with the law in recent years and is currently carrying out community service for tax fraud – a conviction which resulted him being ousted from Italy’s senate and banned from public office.

The billionaire politician has always denied the sex charges, which date back to May 2010.

Italian prosecutors can refer the decision again to Italy’s highest appeals court but any conclusion is not likely to come before next year.